Premiair Racing celebrates Supercars’ expansion to South Island with Ruapuna Raceway joining Taupō on championship calendar.
Premiair Racing welcomes today’s announcement that the Repco Supercars Championship will introduce an exciting double-header event in New Zealand from 2026-2028, with Christchurch’s Ruapuna Raceway set to host the first-ever Supercars event on New Zealand’s South Island.
This landmark decision ensures racing will take place in both Taupō and Christchurch over the next three years, creating a two-week celebration of motorsport across both the North and South Islands of Aotearoa.
Premiair Racing Team Owner Peter Xiberras expressed his enthusiasm for the expanded New Zealand presence:
“This is a game-changing moment for Supercars and fantastic news for our Kiwi fans. Having raced at Taupō with strong results in previous seasons, we’re thrilled to see the championship expand to the South Island with Ruapuna joining the calendar. The passion for motorsport in New Zealand is incredible, and creating this double-header format will elevate the championship to new heights in a country that’s given so much to our sport.
“As a team that has enjoyed racing at Taupō and connecting with New Zealand fans, we’re excited about the opportunity to showcase our racing at Ruapuna. The multimillion-dollar upgrades planned for the venue demonstrate the commitment to making this a world-class event. We can’t wait to be part of history when Supercars debuts on the South Island in 2026.”
The announcement confirms that Ruapuna Raceway, located just 15km west of Christchurch, will undergo significant improvements ahead of hosting Supercars, including track resurfacing and upgraded facilities. The Canterbury Car Club has already raised nearly $1 million toward the first stage of development, highlighting the strong community support behind bringing Supercars to the South Island.
Meanwhile, Taupō International Motorsport Park, where Premiair Racing has competed successfully in previous seasons, will continue to host Supercars events until at least the end of 2028, ensuring the championship maintains its presence on the North Island.
The Taupō event has proven highly successful, attracting over 67,000 fans in 2024 and injecting millions into the local economy. Premiair Racing has enjoyed strong performances at the circuit, with driver Jimmy Golding and Richie Stanaway achieving impressive 10th and 13th place finishes during this year’s Sunday feature race.
Premiair Racing is looking forward to competing in New Zealand in 2026, where the team will look to build on their previous success at the North Island venue before tackling the exciting expansion to Christchurch
For more information on PremiAir Racing, please visit www.premiairracing.com or follow the team on its social media platforms at www.facebook.com/PremiAirRacing/, www.instagram.com/premiair_racing/, www.linkedin.com/company/premiairracing/ and www.twitter.com/premiairracing
